Toronto Metropolitan University
Lachemi began as a professor of civil engineering in 1998. [3] He was appointed dean of the faculty of engineering and architectural science in 2010 after serving as interim dean the year prior. In 2013, he began his role as the provost and vice-president, academic, which he held until becoming president and vice-chancellor in 2016.
Since becoming president, Lachemi has overseen the establishment of new schools in law and medicine, with a focus on technology, equity and inclusion, and a mandate to reach underserved populations. [8] [9]
Under his direction, Toronto Metropolitan University launched the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, [10] a national centre for cybersecurity, and was awarded leadership of the Future Skills Centre consortium, [11] which aims to ensure Canadians develop the skills they need in the new economy.
Lachemi also formed a new Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism, [12] [13] [14] tasked with helping to implement recommendations included in the university’s Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report. He also established and co-chaired the Standing Strong Task Force to address the legacy of the university’s namesake, Egerton Ryerson. This initiative resulted in the decision to rename the university, implement recommendations to enhance support for Indigenous and Black scholarship, and a commitment to establish learning programs for students, faculty and staff on indigenous history and the Indian Residential School System. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
